Exeter students sport moustaches for Movember

Members of Exeter College sport their ‘Mos’ in support of Movember and men’s health

Exeter students are growing moustaches and beards this month in support of the Movember Foundation, the leading global organisation committed to improving men’s health.

Men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. Prostate cancer rates are expected to double in the next 15 years, and testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50 years. Three quarters of suicides are men, with poor mental health leading to half a million men taking their own life every year. Movember aims to tackle these health issues faced by men, and invites people to sport a moustache or beard throughout November to raise awareness of and support for their campaign.

This year Exeter students are playing their part to raise money for Movember. George Shaw, one of the students taking part, said ‘Although I am having and have had a brilliant time at Oxford, it can sometimes be easy to see that the difficulties that come from such a high-intensity and fast-paced city can really get to people. More so, speaking out as a guy about your own mental health and any troubles you could be facing is a really hard task, especially as there is still a significant stigma attached to it. That’s why campaigns such as Movember are so important. Showing support as a college by growing the ‘Mo’ and getting a strong contingent of JCR and MCR members to take part really helps to make inroads in enabling people to talk to one another about mental health, without fear of stigma or judgement. For me, taking part in Movember shows that we are becoming more aware of the difficulties that men can face and that we want to change that. As well as growing these tufts of facial hair, we are fundraising for the Movember Foundation and as such would be hugely grateful for any donations that people want to give, regardless of how big or small that may be.’

To support George and his fellow students and make a donation towards Movember click here.